Category: Local News

Booster doses of COVID vaccines will be rolled out to health workers in Sri Lanka, says the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

The discrepancies in Sri Lankan COVID numbers will soon create doubt on all data that comes from Sri Lanka, former governor, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said. In recent weeks there had been many verified reports of the discrepancies, however the manipulation of numbers began in mid 2021, he said.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 18 re-affirmed Sri Lanka’s continued support to the people of Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to address the nation, says the President’s Spokesman.

In a situation where patients infected with COVID-19 are detected every part of the country with no origin, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said there is no community transmission yet in the country.

Sri Lanka yesterday recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day.

The Maha Nayaka Theros of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters have sent a letter to the President requesting to close the country for at least a week to control the rapid spread of COVID-19 virus.

The price of a loaf of bread will be increased by Rs. 5 with effect from Monday, the 23rd of August, The All Island Bakery Owners Association said.

Leaders of 10 Political Parties have forwarded a special letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urging him to impose a lockdown in the country for at least three weeks.

A new system has been introduced to direct COVID-19 patients within the Western Province to treatment centres to be managed, from today.

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to increase the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 50 basis points each, to 5.00 per cent and 6.00 per cent, respectively.

Trade Associations in several more towns have decided to close down all shops and business establishments on a temporary basis as a result of the fast spreading COVID-19 risk.

Medical Superintendent of the Homagama Hospital, Dr. Janitha Hettiarachchi, said eight doctors of the hospital and another 26 staffers had contracted COVID-19.

170 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for August 17, increasing the death toll to 6,604.

Sri Lanka has issued new health guidelines with immediate effect until the 31st of August as measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus within the country.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) refutes the claims that it has requested licensed banks to ‘devalue’ the Sri Lankan Rupee.